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Acadia’s CLEAN Center maintains one of the most comprehensive collections of energy and emissions information in the region. It draws on multiple sources which are cross-referenced and updated regularly to ensure analyses are in-depth, accurate and timely. Data on economic impacts and benefits, emission trends, and comparative costs is a powerful tool to advance climate and energy initiatives.

The CLEAN Center presents data in accessible, targeted materials. Acadia Center’s staff engages with a wide range of audiences and issues, so they know what information is needed, and the most effective ways to present it. The CLEAN Center maintains up-to-date data sets on energy usage, fuel prices, weather trends, and many other critical variables. Staff are constantly improving and re-shaping the analyses and work products to meet the latest needs.

Acadia CLEAN Center materials answer questions like: How can we get to 80% emissions reductions by 2050? What are the comparative emissions and economic impacts of importing tar sands derived oil versus cleaner alternatives? How much money and fuel are saved by driving electric vehicles, both now and in the future? What will business as usual energy consumption and costs look like for the state of Rhode Island, with the current policy mix?

Acadia’s CLEAN Center fields requests from other advocates and community groups, media, state and local government, business and industry reps, and more. The organization’s materials have a strong reputation for being fair, credible and effective.

On October 30, 2018, the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) unanimously approved a resolution supporting the utility program administrators’ proposed Three-Year Plan for 2019-2021. In its role as the environmental representative on the EEAC, Acadia Center successfully represented stakeholder priorities and pushed for the 2019-2021 Plan to innovate, better use technology, help customers switch from polluting oil to clean, efficient heat pumps, and cut electric and gas peak demand in summer and winter. Now the Plan moves to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for consideration and approval by the end of January 2019.

In Massachusetts, energy efficiency is delivered primarily through utility-run programs, overseen by the Department of Public Utilities with the assistance of a stakeholder council called the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), on which Acadia Center holds the environmental representative seat.

Throughout 2018, the EEAC, efficiency program administrators (PAs), and other stakeholders have been engaged in a process to develop a 3-year plan for 2019-2021. This is Acadia Center’s analysis of the September 14th Revised Draft submitted by the PAs. This document discusses key shortcomings that must be addressed in advance of the October vote. Acadia Center is hopeful that these improvements will be reflected in the final plan.

Rhode Island’s transportation system—its network of highways, trains, public transit, airports, ports, and walking and biking corridors—is vital to the state’s economy. It facilitates the movement of goods and connects people to jobs, shopping, recreation, and other services. However, the system needs critical improvements to address major challenges and better serve the state’s communities and businesses.